PARENTS have been drawn into a new debate after Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi stated that he would like the South African flag on all school uniforms.
Lesufi took to Twitter to tell more than 22 000 followers that ‘my wish is to ensure that from 2017 all school uniforms must have our SA Flag just like national sporting teams.’
My wish is to ensure that from 2017 all school uniforms must have our SA Flag just like national sporting teams https://t.co/gOK8FDNxnD
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) May 9, 2016
This patriotic proposal follows the Department of Arts and Culture’s Flag in Every School Campaign‚ which began in 2014.
The initiative involves hoisting the national flag‚ promoting the correct way of singing the national anthem‚ reciting the preamble of the Constitution and learning about our national symbols.
Parents immediately questioned the additional cost of the change, although Lesufi did not elaborate on how the emblem would be displayed.
@Lesufi @AyandaAllieP @EducationGP seriously? Will that be free? Because it costs us parents a whole lot of money!
— Bernice Le Roux (@bernice__leroux) May 10, 2016
@Lesufi @EducationGP @AyandaAllieP Focus on educating the children please.
— James Brodie (@Gyrator) May 10, 2016
Despite negative feedback, Lesufi’s idea garnered support too.
@Lesufi @AyandaAllieP @EducationGP visionary Mr Lesufi, very proud to be a South African right now
— Nkululeko Mngomezulu (@OhNganeYami) May 10, 2016
@Lesufi @AyandaAllieP @EducationGP with you on this one. Let's also sing the national anthem at sporting events etc….
— Perry1 (@peregrkj) May 10, 2016
